Swannie’s done well for his first budget. There’s really not much I can say. All the decisions seem pretty sensible. The investment funds also seem to be a good idea, expanding on HEEF, the Telecom Fund and so on.

Now to see how Nelson and Turnbull respond. Oh, he’s on now. Oh, he’s spending more is he? Please explain. Spending on Howard-era programs being cut? How very unexpected. Increasing taxes that mostly affect the rich? Well, to me, that’s a good idea, when he’s cutting income taxes that affect the less wealthy.

The only real criticism I can make is the lack of funds for climate change. $2.3bn isn’t very much, unfortunately. I would have also thought a Climate Change Fund would be useful, and means-testing the solar rebate probably isn’t worth the savings.